JST Vol. 21 (1) Jan. 2013 - Pertanika Journal - Universiti Putra ...

The Journal’s review process
What happens to a manuscript once it is submitted to Pertanika? Typically, there are seven steps to the editorial review process:
1. The executive editor and the editorial board examine the paper to determine whether it is appropriate for the journal and
should be reviewed. If not appropriate, the manuscript is rejected outright and the author is informed.
2. The executive editor sends the article-identifying information having been removed, to three reviewers. Typically, one of
these is from the Journal’s editorial board. Others are specialists in the subject matter represented by the article. The
executive editor asks them to complete the review in three weeks and encloses two forms: (a) referral form B and (b)
reviewer’s comment form along with reviewer’s guidelines. Comments to authors are about the appropriateness and
adequacy of the theoretical or conceptual framework, literature review, method, results and discussion, and conclusions.
Reviewers often include suggestions for strengthening of the manuscript. Comments to the editor are in the nature of
the significance of the work and its potential contribution to the literature.
3. The executive editor, in consultation with the editor-in-chief, examines the reviews and decides whether to reject the
manuscript, invite the author(s) to revise and resubmit the manuscript, or seek additional reviews. Final acceptance or
rejection rests with the Editorial Board, who reserves the right to refuse any material for publication. In rare instances,
the manuscript is accepted with almost no revision. Almost without exception, reviewers’ comments (to the author)
are forwarded to the author. If a revision is indicated, the editor provides guidelines for attending to the reviewers’
suggestions and perhaps additional advice about revising the manuscript.
4. The authors decide whether and how to address the reviewers’ comments and criticisms and the editor’s concerns.
The authors submit a revised version of the paper to the executive editor along with specific information describing how
they have answered’ the concerns of the reviewers and the editor.
5. The executive editor sends the revised paper out for review. Typically, at least one of the original reviewers will be
asked to examine the article.
6. When the reviewers have completed their work, the executive editor in consultation with the editorial board and the
editor-in-chief examine their comments and decide whether the paper is ready to be published, needs another round
of revisions, or should be rejected.
7. If the decision is to accept, the paper is sent to that Press and the article should appear in print in approximately three
months. The Publisher ensures that the paper adheres to the correct style (in-text citations, the reference list, and tables
are typical areas of concern, clarity, and grammar). The authors are asked to respond to any queries by the Publisher.
Following these corrections, page proofs are mailed to the corresponding authors for their final approval. At this point,
only essential changes are accepted. Finally, the article appears in the pages of the Journal and is posted on-line.
English language editing
Pertanika emphasizes on the linguistic accuracy of every manuscript published. Thus all authors are required to get their
manuscripts edited by professional English language editors. Author(s) must provide a certificate confirming that their
manuscripts have been adequately edited. A proof from a recognised editing service should be submitted together with the cover
letter at the time of submitting a manuscript to Pertanika. All costs will be borne by the author(s).
This step, taken by authors before submission, will greatly facilitate reviewing, and thus publication if the content is acceptable.
Author material archive policy
Authors who require the return of any submitted material that is rejected for publication in the journal should indicate on the
cover letter. If no indication is given, that author’s material should be returned, the Editorial Office will dispose of all hardcopy
and electronic material.
Copyright
Authors publishing the Journal will be asked to sign a declaration form. In signing the form, it is assumed that authors have
obtained permission to use any copyrighted or previously published material. All authors must read and agree to the conditions
outlined in the form, and must sign the form or agree that the corresponding author can sign on their behalf. Articles cannot be
published until a signed form has been received.
Lag time
A decision on acceptance or rejection of a manuscript is reached in 3 to 4 months (average 14 weeks). The elapsed time from
submission to publication for the articles averages 5-6 months.
Hardcopies of the Journals and off prints
Under the Journal’s open access initiative, authors can choose to download free material (via PDF link) from any of the journal
issues from Pertanika’s website. Under “Browse Journals” you will see a link entitled “Current Issues” or “Archives”. Here you
will get access to all back-issues from 1978 onwards.
The corresponding author for all articles will receive one complimentary hardcopy of the journal in which his/her articles is
published. In addition, 20 off prints of the full text of their article will also be provided. Additional copies of the journals may be
purchased by writing to the executive editor.